Died On This Date (March 21, 2004) Johnny Bristol / Prolific Motown Songwriter
Johnny Bristol
February 3rd, 1939 – March 21, 2004

Part of the Motown hit making machine from 1961 to 1973, Johnny Bristol could take partial credit for countless massive hits as a writer and/or producer. Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson, Gladys Knight, Michael Jackson, Edwin Starr and Stevie Wonder are just a handful of who he has helped make superstars out of. Bristol also released a half-dozen of his own albums throughout the 70’s, 80’s and early 90’s. He passed away at the age of 65, reportedly from natural causes.
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